THE DIGITAL TRANSITION TO ELECTRONIC BILLS OF LADING
Presented at Port of the Future Conference 2026
Session Overview
Moderator: Izzy Khawaja, AI Strategic Solutions
Panelists: Thomas Damsgaard, Head of Americas, BIMCO; Mark Dupuis, Co-Founder | Chief Customer Officer, BASE; Curtis Spencer, CEO, IMS Worldwide, Inc.
Adopting electronic bills of lading can transform trade by streamlining processes, improving security, reducing environmental impact, and promoting sustainable trade practices. Estimates show that replacing all paper-based bills of lading would save billions in direct transaction costs while facilitating substantial additional global trade.
The container industry currently operates at about 5 percent eBLs and has committed to reaching 100 percent by 2030. This panel discusses how businesses and ports can best prepare for the digital transition from paper-based to eBLs.